Adobe’s Acrobat
Portable Document Format (PDF) has many uses inside and outside of the graphic
arts industry.
This month, we discuss the “Digital
Hard Copy,” a quick, easy way to create a PDF sample document...not a
print-ready file.
If you’re already comfortable
using Acrobat Distiller to prepare PDF files for print, this article will not
be of interest to you.
You’ve completed your book and
it’s ready to be digitally printed by Copresco. In the “old
days” (last week for instance), you could put your native application,
graphics and fonts on a Zip disk or CD.
Then you would
overnight express the files to us with your hard copy sample so we could match
your printed output to ours.
Today, you can maintain an unbroken digital stream by instantly transmitting your electronic files directly from your computer to our FTP site—or e-mail us, if necessary. And that includes what we call a “digital hard copy.” This is a sample of your job that you can create in Acrobat PDF format.
Although still a work in progress, PDF can eliminate the need for sending actual hard copies. We will receive a more accurate representation of your book than you see on your screen or can produce on a non-PostScript desktop printer.
1. You will need the complete Adobe
Acrobat 4.0 program...the free Acrobat Reader is not document creation
software.
2. In this case, your PDF document won’t be a print file.
It’s just a sample document. So don’t forget... you still need to
send us your native files, graphics and fonts. However, because the PDF
isn’t a print file, you don’t have to use high-resolution images or
imbedded graphics. There’s no need to imbed the fonts and you can opt for
a lower dpi output. All this makes for a smaller file that’s faster and
easier to handle.
3. You’ll still need to fax or e-mail Copresco a
purchase order, packaging information, a distribution list and any special
instructions regarding tabs, special inserts, etc.
You don’t have to
become an expert to use the PDF software in this manner. The secret of your
success is PDFWriter. Here’s how to properly use this dandy utility:
1. On a PC: From your native
application, select Acrobat PDF Writer as your printer by using the
File>Print command. In some applications, you may need to click Setup in the
Print dialog box to get access to the Printer Name menu.
On a Mac: From your native application,
hold down the Control key and choose File>Print.
2. In the Print dialog
box, click Print or OK.
3. In the Save As dialog box, save the PDF file
with the same name as your native document.
4. View the new PDF file in
Acrobat. Carefully review the file for text reflow and the proper
representation and positioning of EPS graphics.
Does your book contain
any encapsulated PostScript (EPS) format graphics? PDFWriter doesn’t
support these files.
However, if your application
contains a preview feature (many do not), the preview will be used to show the
position of the graphic. Therefore, you need to carefully check your PDF
digital hard copy to make sure that EPS graphics appear in their proper
positions.
That’s all
there’s to it. Now you’re ready to send us your complete job files,
along with your PDF digital hard copy. We will image your job and give you
digital press proofs for final approval.
If you have any
questions, call Copresco for help. We regularly work with all major software
applications, including FrameMaker, PageMaker, QuarkXPress and Word in both Mac
and PC platforms.
So when you need publications, books or
manuals, call the company that offers you all the advantages of on-demand
printing, including a complete digital workflow stream.
Call Copresco.
Now that we’re
well on our way in the new year, here’s a Friendly Copresco
Reminder.
It’s time to update your antivirus
software. No computer, PC or Mac, seems immune to the ravages of man-made
viruses, worms and other malicious bugs.
Some experts
claim the problem will likely get worse. So don’t delay… update today.
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